Resonance of Fate

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. TheSixthAxis
    90
    Resonance of Fate is definitely for hardcore RPG fans only, but at the same time the map and combat systems make it substantially different from anything you’ll have likely played before.
  2. GameSpot
    85
    Stylish combat that is as challenging as it is exciting provides the backbone for this great role-playing game.
  3. Play.tm
    85
    Quite simply one of the best games you'll never play.
  5. TotalPlayStation
    85
    There's nothing like Resonance of Fate out there anywhere. Sure, that means this new merging of turn-based and real-time battles has a few stumbles here and there, but for a first effort in an emerging genre, this is one hell of a debut.
  6. Cynamite
    85
    Much better than the average Japanese role-playing game. The unusual setting and the amusing story guarantee a fresh experience, but we hope for more weapon options in the sequel.
  7. Vandal
    83
    Maybe it passes over without being noticed, but we hope its good ideas don't.
  8. PSX Extreme
    82
    You just need to accept the fact that Resonance of Fate will inevitably frustrate you, especially at first, and you have to resign yourself to grinding very, very often.
  9. MEGamers
    82
    Any true JRPG fan will find that Resonance of Fate, despite all its shortcomings, is an exciting and challenging adventure...and at its core - a great battle system that is as complicated as it is brilliant.
  10. 3DJuegos
    81
    Featuring a deep combat system and a huge load of interesting ideas, Resonance of Fate is one of the more interesting JRPG of these last months.
  11. GamingExcellence
    81
    Resonance of Fate is definitely not a game for everyone. What some may call insane micromanagement, others will call depth. What some would refer to as cheap and unfair challenge, others will consider challenging.
  12. Eurogamer
    80
    A hugely interesting game, as fascinating as it is frequently frustrating, as engaging as it is eccentric and, for those who are hooked by its quirky charms, it will provide one of the most inspired approaches to the JRPG seen in a decade.
  13. Eurogamer Italy
    80
    Resonance of Fate is one of the best JRPG of these last months. Featuring a deep combat system and a huge load of interesting ideas, this game is a true gem for the RPG fans. The main story has a diesel acceleration, but after few hours everything looks great.
  14. PSM3 Magazine UK
    80
    An explosive JRPG hamstrung by drab environments and duff characters.
  15. SpazioGames
    80
    Resonance of Fate is a good role playing game, probably the best creation from tri-Ace studio so far. A deep combat system allows hardcore players to find what they need, although poor storytelling and a not impressive graphics are two cons to deal with.
  16. Games Master UK
    80
    Tough, but incredibly rewarding. [May 2010, p.68]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Worth Playing
    80
    There is a lot of exploration and side-quests to do, but only if you're willing to dedicate the time and effort to learn the mechanics and explore the world. If you're willing to overlook these potential problems, it's difficult to find a better choice than Resonance of Fate.
  18. RealGamer
    80
    Resonance of Fate is a welcome breath of fresh air in the bloated, clichéd JRPG world, Tri-ace have managed to craft a very tactical, hardcore battling system that is far from forgiving, but has some excellently unique ideas.
  19. Destructoid
    80
    About the only desire it does not quite satisfy is the one for a heavy, involved plot.
  20. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    80
    It's a slow burner, but once you get to grips with the ridiculously deep battle system, its hooks won't loosen until you see all 16 long chapters out. [June 2010, p.117]
    All this publication's reviews
  21. Cheat Code Central
    78
    The core gameplay - everything from character and weapon customization, to the incredibly nuanced combat - is fun and delightful. Almost everything else, though, feels pedestrian.
  22. XGN
    75
    Are you looking for a RPG which offers something totally different than Final Fantasy XIII for example? Well, if you don't have any problems with a difficult and extensive gameplay system, then Resonance of Fate is your game to buy.
  23. InsideGamer.nl
    75
    Resonance of Fate has an amazing fighting system, but is also a very weird game, with strange sexual jokes.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
15
#15 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 131 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 169
  3. Negative: 21 out of 169
  1. GodOfWar
    Mar 17, 2010
    10
    despite all of the negative reviews about the games silly nature or steep learning curve this game is superb... Anything worth having is despite all of the negative reviews about the games silly nature or steep learning curve this game is superb... Anything worth having is worth working for or towards and that is what makes it that much more enjoyable. screw game informers diagnosis of this game for whoever played it had no idea what a good rpg is. further more they obviously don't understand the rpg player. This game is a breath of fresh air in a genre that is now a days given more attention in the graphics department than the story and gameplay.… Full Review »
  2. Pombe
    Sep 18, 2011
    1
    I am interested in the art and style of the game. However, there are hundreds of forums discussing the issues of this game freezing frequentlyI am interested in the art and style of the game. However, there are hundreds of forums discussing the issues of this game freezing frequently during game play. I purchased this game and soon discovered my model of PS3 (first generation 60GB) is affected. I cannot in good faith give this game a good rating if SEGA cannot launch a game that plays without freezing. After 2 years a patch has not been released.… Full Review »
  3. tomvs123
    Feb 12, 2018
    8
    Wow, what an experience. If only all niche JRPGs were like this. The multitude of recent low-budget Vita/PS4 JRPGS just don't compare.

    All    Wow, what an experience. If only all niche JRPGs were like this. The multitude of recent low-budget Vita/PS4 JRPGS just don't compare.

    All JRPGs need a gimmick these days and this one has many. Its combat system, weapon upgrade system, and world map are wildly different from other JRPGs (even in 2018). Trying to describe these effectively would require a FAQ, and there's already plenty of those around.

    But for a summary, the world map and weapon upgrading system are unique and fun. The combat is the biggest departure from other games, but don't leave much room for error. It requires careful planning, quick reflexes, and an intricate understanding of how it works. Most people call this "hard," but it's not really after you learn it.

    As for the story, it's a good one. The overall tone and primary goal of the leaders in this world is to find out why their lives are tied to specific crystals so that they can overcome death. All of this while the rest of the population is mostly religious and believes in God, while information on the true nature of life is slowly leaking out into the population.

    Your party of three takes a more or less side approach to the story. Instead of actively participating in the main goal of the world leaders, they're just trying to get by doing their daily jobs. Though of course, your jobs frequently get you involved with the leaders of the world.

    Your party is also incredibly interesting. In the beginning cut scene, one is trying to commit suicide for reasons that I won't spoil for you, another has quite a dark recent past that you get to uncover, and the third has connections to the world's leadership.

    The storytelling is relatively vague and you learn important bits of information in small chunks. It's up to the player to put things together to figure out why things are the way they are. And because your characters (and many of the world citizens) have dark pasts, it makes sense that they just don't tell everyone what happened in the past.

    So it's a great story if you like to piece together mysteries, but not so much if you like things told to you straight.

    Some more tidbits:

    - Just about every NPC in the game has something interesting to talk about. As you progress through the chapters, their dialogue changes and you learn more about their stories. In other games, this is overdone with too many NPCs and no set points when you know their dialogue is updated. In this game, the amount of NPCs is low enough and the chapter breaks makes knowing when they have new dialogue easy.

    - The game might seem kind of grindy, but there's no actual grinding in the traditional sense (fighting monsters over and over to level up / etc). It's just that the fights last so long that it can take you an hour or two to complete an objective or get through a dungeon. As long as you look at it from a strategy-RPG perspective, it's not bad.

    - The game includes Japanese voice acting and it's great (The English isn't so good). Pick the Japanese voice track unless you don't like the language or don't like that some of the in-battle banter isn't subtitled.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »